We don't know the exact year when the town of Todi was founded - some chroniclers indicate 1955 B.C. - but we know without doubt that it was first inhabited by Umbrian tribes, later by the Etruscans.
The name derives from the term "tular", "border": the town marked for a long time the border between the Etruscan and the Umbrian territories.
In the 3rd century B.C. the Romans conquered Umbria and since the 4th century Christianity spread all over the region: the new doctrine arrived in Todi with S.Terenziano, first bishop of the town and martyr under the Emperor Adrian.
Very important was also the figure of the bishop Fortunato, who led the citizenry in the struggle against the Goths.
In the Middle Ages Todi assumed the feature of a medieval castle and it was ruled by feudal barons such as the Arnolfi, the Montemarte, the Atti.
After 1000 A.D. the town expanded: commerce and handicraft return to flourish, the heads of the arts and craft associations - the Priors - began to be very important, and Todi was a free commune since the first years of the 12th century.
In 1236 came into the world, in Todi, Jacopo dei Benedetti, called Jacopone, one of the most important figures of Franciscanism.
Later Todi belonged to various dominions, and after this period the town was placed directly under the central power of the Papal State, which finished in 1860, with the Unification of Italy.
The 20th century has made Todi famous all over the world: for its historic monuments, the fascination of its medieval atmosphere and the unique beauty of its countryside.